Architecture Notes

Event ID 774166

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Architecture Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/774166

Chalmer's Close is listed on Edgar 1742 and derived its name from Patrick Chalmers, belt maker, Captain of the Trained Bands in 1682, who had a tenement in the close. It was also known by 1726 as Boyd's Close, from Hugh Boyd, merchant, who had a property at the close head, known as "Boyd's Land" or the "Blue Land". Its earlier name was Dunsyre's Close, mentioned in "Protocols of John Foular" 1529 and named for William de Dunsyre, member of the "great dosane" or council in 1480 who owned land here as well as near Kirk o Fields. (from Stuart Harris, "Place Names of Edinburgh", 1996, page 163)